Attendance allowance for depression

Marjrie

I am 69 and my husband is 91, I have been his carer for a long time. He gets his pension and attendance allowance, I used to get carers allowance until I got my pension.
It’s getting more difficult to care for him and myself, I’m taking anti depression tablets from the doctor. I’m anxious and frightened all the time.
some days I don’t want to carry on, I have to drag myself out of bed. To shower and get both of us dressed takes all morning. 

My doctor says we might be able to get some help and mentioned I might also get attendance allowance, so we can get some help.
I go to bed most nights hoping not to wake in the morning, some days are a bit better but most are awful. I don’t want him to go into a care home, but can’t afford help unless we get a bit more coming in.
can we both get attendance allowance, does my mental health qualify?
im not sure how much longer I can cope. 

poppy12345

Yes, you can both claim AA but you'll need to apply for it yourself. If you need help during either the day or noght then it will be lower rate. If both day and night then it's higher rate. You don't need to be receiving any help to be entitled to AA. It's not awarded based on any diagnosis.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/attendance-allowance/

When you reached state pension age the reason the carers allowance stopped was because it's classed as an overlapping benefit. If your state pension is more than the carers allowance amount you won't be paid it. You will have what's known as an underlying entitlement to it, which means it could increase entitlement to pension credit.

You can also refer yourself and your husband for a needs assessment from your local Authority. See link. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/

elsien

I was also going to suggest a local authority needs assessment for your husbands needs and for you as his carer.

 They do the needs assessment and then they do the financial assessment afterwards so it may be that you don’t need to pay much towards any support depending on your incomes. 
Even if it’s just carers coming in to help with personal care, that’s a start.

Marjrie

Thank you 

elsien

@Marjrie There should be a link on your local authority website for how to request an assessment.
Please don’t underplay the difficulties you are having. They are inundated and prioritising those in greatest need. You need to say that there is a strong risk of carer breakdown if you don’t get help.